To continue talking about John Mark we can see Paul didn’t think that John Mark would be of benefit to the kingdom and to the newly established churches. Things change with the right encouragement. In the later years, Paul mentions John Mark in three separate occasions. First in Philemon 1:24, he lists John Mark as a fellow worker in the kingdom. By this time Paul has changed his mind about John Mark. The second time is Colossians 4:10, where he mentions that John Mark should be welcomed as a worker and brother in God’s kingdom. Finally in 2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.” This is the last letter that Paul wrote in his life, and he asks specifically for John Mark, because he is useful.
Sometimes we can be like John Mark. Sometimes one can abandon the church, but when one person withdraws from the church it doesn’t mean that they are leaving forever. They can come back with the right encouragement. They can return to God and be useful in the Lord’s kingdom if someone believes in them and takes the time to encourage and teach them. Let’s be Barnabas to our brothers and sisters who need encouragement.